Known as the “Godfather” of Reggae and Dub music, Lee “Scratch” Perry flew in from Switzerland on his 75th birthday to perform at a private benefit concert held on behalf of the Project Rhythm Seed Music Foundation at the Culy Warehouse in San Diego. Joining the stage with London’s DJ Bailey, and San Diego’s International Rhythm Kings, Perry commanded the stage and rocked the house during his short set March 17.

While I had envisioned him as a much taller man, everything about Perry’s persona was larger-than-life and thoroughly steeped in mysticism and illusion. To “take in” Lee “Scratch” Perry required the full attention of all of my senses, starting with the immediately spiritual smell of incense that permeated the air the minute he walked onstage. It struck me as I was attempting to photograph him that every part of Perry that you could identify with as a fellow human being was designed to either shock you, befuddle and amaze you, or disappear altogether. His well-worn hands were smothered in enormous bauble-encrusted rings, and his eyes were constantly shaded by the brim of his well-decorated hat, which was pulled down low. His beard, which was dyed a bright iridescent red, was usually the only part of his face that was visible. Even then, he would tuck his chin down into the deep collar of his military-style jacket, thrusting his face into shadow and creating the illusion that all you were supposed to see of this performer was an enormous voice emanating from within a carefully decorated shell. It was a rare, mesmerizing performance. Happy Birthday, Lee.